On 2 February 2012, Mr Tomasz Sawicki, the winner of an exclusive invitation put up for auction during the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, paid a visit to Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) in Szczecin and 610th Signal Battalion in Prenzlau.
For four years already, Multinational Corps Northeast has been supporting the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, a Polish nation-wide charity action, devoted to collecting money for sick children. For the first time though, German soldiers from the 610th Signal Battalion joined in. As a matter of fact, this common undertaking has proved to be a real success.
Multinational Corps Northeast and 610th Signal Battalion from Prenzlau offered an exclusive invitation to their barracks and put it for auction. Mr Tomasz Sawicki turned out to be the winner of the invitation and 2 February was the day of his VIP visit to Baltic Barracks in Szczecin and Uckermark Kaserne in Prenzlau.
Mr Tomasz Sawicki was warmly welcomed by MNC NE Commander, Lieutenant General Rainer Korff. Meeting the German General in person must have been quite a treat for a military enthusiast that Mr Sawicki definitely is. Not only did Mr Sawicki have an opportunity to talk to General Korff, but he also received a low relief with a crest of Multinational Corps Northeast, second prize won in an auction by Mr Sawicki. Moreover, he was given a briefing about Multinational Corps Northeast history, tasks as well as the Corps’ mission in Afghanistan.
The next point in the itinerary was a visit to German 610th Battalion in Prenzlau. The Battalion is part of Command Support Brigade assigned to Multinational Corps Northeast for missions and exercises. Mr Sawicki was hosted by the Deputy Commander of the Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Albrecht who assisted the guest throughout the whole visit. After an introduction briefing about the battalion, basic battalion equipment as well as the Uckermark Barracks were presented to him. Then, Mr Sawicki could see soldiers of the Basic Training Company while training. In fact, he could try himself to assemble and disassemble a German MG3 general-purpose machine gun. It seems impossible to describe Mr Sawicki’s impressions in simple words. His enthusiasm and happiness have been speaking for themselves throughout the whole visit.
This excellent event would not be possible without great support from the Command Group and soldiers of 610. Signal Battalion: Thank you for that!
Photos by: Marian Cihon, SVK CIV
